Environment (Natural Disasters) in United States

in committee · United States · House Mar 7, 2025

HR 956: Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025

HR 956, the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025, updates the 1996 Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act to improve how the Department of Defense sells aircraft and parts for wildfire fighting. It specifically adds "water" to the list of materials usable for suppression (alongside fire retardant) and clarifies that sold aircraft can only be used for wildfire suppression services, not other purposes. The bill extends the authorization period for these sales from October 1, 2025, to October 1, 2035. This directly affects the Department of Defense, which manages the sales, and wildfire suppression agencies that would use the aircraft and equipment. The changes aim to streamline access to aerial firefighting resources while ensuring they are used solely for wildfire response.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

in committee · United States · House Oct 3, 2025

HR 501: Promoting Resilient Buildings Act of 2025

This bill creates a 3-year pilot program (2025-2028) using up to 10% of existing disaster relief funds to help low-income homeowners in disaster-prone areas make resilience upgrades to their homes. It funds specific retrofits like floodproofing, seismic upgrades, wildfire mitigation, and hurricane-resistant roofing to reduce damage from natural disasters. The program requires states to prioritize financially needy homeowners and mandates a detailed report by 2029 on outcomes, including homes retrofitted, costs, and avoided disaster costs. It applies only to funds appropriated after the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Building Codes Tags Emergency Management

passed · United States · Senate Jun 16, 2025

SRES 247: A resolution designating May 2025 as "National Wildfire Preparedness Month".

SRES 247 designates May 2025 as "National Wildfire Preparedness Month" to raise awareness about wildfire risks across the United States. The resolution highlights increasing wildfire frequency, scale, and human causes (85% of wildland fires), while emphasizing preventative measures like fire-resistant construction, community planning, evacuation readiness, vegetation management, and reducing human ignitions. It encourages federal, state, local, tribal, and community efforts to promote preparedness through education and resources. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to foster nationwide awareness and adoption of proven fire mitigation practices.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 6, 2026

S 388: Promoting Resilient Buildings Act

This bill establishes a 10-year pilot program to help homeowners make their homes more resilient to natural disasters. It directs FEMA to use up to 10% of existing disaster relief funds to provide grants for retrofits like floodproofing, seismic upgrades, and hurricane straps - prioritizing low-income households. The program, running until 2030, requires grantees to report on participation, costs, and reduced disaster impacts. It specifically uses existing Stafford Act funding streams without creating new programs.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Natural Disasters Building Codes Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · House Feb 6, 2025

HR 1105: Disaster Resiliency and Coverage Act of 2025

The Disaster Resiliency and Coverage Act of 2025 creates a federal program that provides grants to states and tribal governments to help homeowners in high-risk disaster areas make their homes more resilient. The program covers specific mitigation activities like reinforcing roofs, installing flood barriers, and creating fire-resistant features, with a $10,000 per household limit. Homeowners must have an adjusted gross income under $250,000 ($500,000 for joint returns) to qualify. The bill also includes tax benefits, allowing these grant amounts to be excluded from gross income and providing a 30% tax credit for qualifying mitigation expenditures.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · Senate May 1, 2025

S 1545: Repeatedly Flooded Communities Preparation Act

This bill requires communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program that repeatedly experience severe flooding to develop and implement flood mitigation plans. Specifically, it targets communities with at least 50 properties having multiple flood insurance claims totaling over $1,000 each in a 10-year period, or those with unmitigated severe flood damage to public/private facilities. Communities must assess flood risks, create community-specific plans for reducing those risks, and submit them to FEMA for review, with public access to these plans. Failure to comply may result in sanctions, including suspension from the flood insurance program, while FEMA must provide data assistance and consider compliance when distributing mitigation grants.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 6, 2025

S 441: A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to develop a plan to reorganize Federal wildland fire response, and for other purposes.

This bill directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to create a new "National Wildland Firefighting Service" within the Department of the Interior, consolidating federal wildfire response efforts currently split between their agencies. The plan must include a budget, qualifications for the Director (to be appointed by the President with Senate approval), and details on resources needed for the consolidation. The Secretaries must submit this plan to specific congressional committees within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The bill directly affects federal wildfire management programs under the USDA and Interior Departments, aiming to streamline response operations through structural reorganization.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

in committee · United States · House Dec 5, 2025

HR 5782: Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025

The Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025 aims to improve wildfire management across western U.S. federal lands by enhancing preparation, detection, suppression, and recovery efforts. The bill requires federal agencies to improve transparency around wildfire funding, establish reimbursement for military training-related wildfires, and create strategic fire management plans for at-risk areas. It authorizes research on drone technology for firefighting, funding for local firefighter training, and establishes a new account for long-term burned area rehabilitation. The act directly affects federal land management agencies, state and local fire departments, and communities in wildfire-prone areas across the western United States. Key provisions include improved detection technology, post-fire recovery resources, and incentives for innovative solutions to invasive species problems following wildfires.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands Emerging Technology

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 91: Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025

The Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025 aims to improve wildfire management across western U.S. landscapes by focusing on preparation, detection, suppression, and post-fire recovery. The bill requires federal land managers to create strategic fire management plans for high-risk areas, establish transparent reporting on firefighting costs, and reimburse states for wildfire suppression caused by military training. It promotes new technology through provisions for wildfire detection equipment, slip-on tanker units, and research on unmanned aircraft systems, while also creating a dedicated Long-Term Burned Area Rehabilitation account for ecosystem restoration. These provisions primarily affect federal agencies (Interior and Agriculture Departments), state and local fire departments, and communities in wildfire-prone regions. The bill includes specific reporting requirements and funding mechanisms to support these new approaches to wildfire management.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · House Nov 20, 2025

HR 6129: Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Charging Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Energy to create a National Electric Vehicle Bidirectional Charging Roadmap within 12 months, outlining strategies, timelines, and cost estimates for expanding bidirectional charging technology. It mandates that all new light-duty electric vehicles and school buses manufactured starting in 2029 must support bidirectional charging (sending power back to the grid or home), with limited exemptions. The bill also directs FEMA to require states and localities to include bidirectional charging capabilities in disaster recovery plans. These provisions directly affect EV manufacturers, federal agencies, and local governments, aiming to standardize technology and integrate EVs into grid resilience efforts.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Resilience Natural Disasters Electric Vehicles Tags Emergency Management

All environment bills